Grid casting machine



April 5, 1938- E. POOLE ET AL.

GRID CASTING MACHINE Filed May 31, 1934 l0 Sheets-Sheet l N NN L Q 0 m w Q 0 WM m V 9n & wmv s W *N. 9% M6,. mm fin .gl Qww a I Q Q g M v2 m. w Q Q a B 6 QQN M6. 3 0 ww w emu @N h N m N J N .93 O w S Q Q 03 Xu 8% k a h Q o w 3% @N Q NNN N. N MN Q N VVN WNW www A QNN km I N van wk.

4&4, ATToRNEw/ April 5, 1938. 1.. E. POOLE ET AL GRID CASTING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 31, 1934 INVENTO 0 5w ATTORNEY p 1938. E. POOLE ET AL. 2,113,033

GRID CASTING MACHINE Filed May 31, 1934 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 R92 234 2.98 Z94 v 36 1 O 34 M2 135 0 A. Z92

4' i 2U 17a 6% 84 119 n lllllllllll u 89 127 INVENT AL April 1938- E. POOLE ET-AL I 2,113,033

GRID CASTING MACHINE Filed May 31, 1934 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 1 [3E xuzm ATTORNEYAI April 5,1 3 L. E. OoLE Em 2,1 3 033 GRID CASTING MACHINE y Filed May 31, 1954 10 Sheets-Sheet 7,

mm||||| mm lllllllllllllll I V l April 1938- L. E. POOLE ET AL 2,113,033

GRID CASTING MACHINE Filed May 31, 1934 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENT I ATTORNEY April 1938' L. E. POOLE ET AL GRID CASTING MACHINE Filed May 31, 1934 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTORJ v BY WgIA 4/*% ATToRNEw Patented Apr. 5, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE cam CASTING momma of Delaware Application May 31, 1934, Serial No. 728,318

20 Claims.

This invention relates to casting machines and more particularly to machines for casting storage battery grids.

It is the general object of the present inven- 5 tion to provide for automatic and continuous casting of battery grids without any manipulation whatever'by an operator whose duty is confined to the supervision of the proper operation of the machine and the inspection of the cast grids which are required to be of a uniform high standard quality.

It is a further object of the present invention automatically to pour a predetermined quantity of casting material at a constant temperature and at a predetermined rate of flow into a mold of the machine.

It is another object of the present invention to cool a mold of the machine before a cast grid is automatically ejected therefrom in order to accelerate the solidification of the cast material without detriment to the mechanical properties of the same.

It is another object of the present invention to provide for a short travel of the reciprocable half of a mold of the machine while the latter is in operation, and for a greater travel of said reciprocable half for the purpose of coating or inspecting the mold.

It is another object of the present invention to provide for random withdrawal of the reciprocable half of a mold from its companion half at any time'during the operationvof the machine.

It is another object of the present invention automatically to convey the ejected-grids from the immediate neighborhood of the mold and stack the same at a place remotetherefro'm where removal of a stack of grids and inspection of the same by the operator is not aggravated by 45 charge pouring ladies, a common driving means for the grid removing conveyors, etc.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following 50 description, reference being had to the accomment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a machine embodying the present invention.

panying drawings wherein a preferred embodi- Fig. 2 is a top view of a part of the machine as viewed in the direction of arrow 2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation as viewed in the direction of arrow 3 in Fig. 1, and showing the movable mold halves and the common operating means.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section taken substantially on the line 44 of Figs. 1 and 5. v

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of the machine looking, however, at the machine from the side opposite the one from which Fig. 1' is viewed.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is airagmentary section through a detail of the common mold operating means and is taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 8.

Figs. 8 and 9 are fragmentary sectionstaken on the lines 8-8 and 99, respectively, of Fig. 2.

Figs. 10 and 11 are sections similar to Fig. 9, showing, however, certain elements of the machine in different positions of operation.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section taken substantially on the line lZ-I2' of Fig. 8.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary section Fig. 17 is a front elevation of a movable mold half.

Figs. 18 and 19 are sections through said m'ovable mold half and are taken on the lines l8-I8 and l9l9, respectively, of Fig. 17.

Fig. 20 is a side elevation of a part of the machine and is complementary to Fig. 5.

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary section through the melting furnace and is taken substantially on the line 2l--2l of Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 22-22 of Fig. 21, and showsbesides the furnace a grid conveyor.

Referring to the drawings, a machine base supports a casing 32 ontop' of which are movably supported two brackets 34, carrying two halves 36 of two identical molds 38 of the machine'and a common operating device 42 for said molds. Controlling devices for the entire machine are located within the casing. Two pairs of parallel spaced frames 44 are also mounted on base 30 and carry stationary mold halves 46 which are in proper alignment with their movable companion halves 36. Intermediate each pair of frames 44 there is located a grid conveyor, and all the frames 44 support a melting furnace 50.

Reciprocatz'on of movable mold halves Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 12, the casing 32 is provided with two pairs of gib plates 60 each pair of which provides a swallowtail guide, receiving the correspondingly shaped bottom 62 of the movable mold halves 36. Secured by screws 64 to each bracket 34 is an angle shaped member 66 which is connected to a cross-arm 12 by means of a screw 68, attached to the bracket 34 and member 66 and extending through an oblong slot 10 of said cross-arm. Threaded into each end of cross-arm 12 are two bolts 14 which extend through a retainer plate 16 and a. member 66. Compression springs 18 are interposed between each end of the crossarm 12 and a retainer plate 16 and surround the bolts 14. Adjusting screws 80 which are threadedly received by each member 66 provided for adjustment of the spring retainer plates 16 and thereby adjustment of the compression of the springs 18. Nuts 82, threaded over the bolts 14, provide for any desired limitation of movement of cross-arm 12 relative to the brackets 34 as 7 can be readily understood especially from Fig. I.

The cross-arm 12 is provided with a head 84 to which is attached in any suitable manner a rod 86 of a double acting piston 89, received by a cylinder 88 which as best shown in Figs. 2 and 6 is provided with a plurality of depending lugs 90 through which extend screws 92, threadedly received by the top wall 98 of the casing 32, thus securing the cylinder 88 to said casing. Any conventional type stuffing box 94 permits the passage of piston rod 86 from the interior of the cylinder and prevents leakage of operating fluid from said cylinder along the piston rod. In case one of the molds should close slightly before the other mold the latter will also close irrespectiveof the earlier closing of said one mold due to the possibility of relative movement between cross-arm 12 and each bracket 34 as explained. In order to prevent bending of the piston rod 86' should one mold close prior to the other, the cross arm 12 is guided at 13 in a guide bracket 15 which is mounted in any suitable manner on top of the casing 32. The top wall 98 of the casing 32 is provided with two spaced bosses I00 and I02, having ducts I08 and H0, threadedly receiving tubes I04, and I06, respectively, which are adapted to conduct fluid under pressure from a suitable source through said ducts I08 and H0 into chambers H2 and H4 and then through ducts H6 and H8 of cylinder 88 to either side of the piston 89 therein. It follows from the foregoing that admission of fluid pressure to the cylinder 88 results in reciprocation of the brackets 34 in their respective guides and hence in reciprocation of the movable mold halves 36. The identical reciprocable mold halves 36, one of which is shown in detail in Figs. 17 to 19 inclusive, are attached in any suitable manner to the front walls I34 of the brackets 34.

These front walls I34 are provided with transverse grooves I 38 in which are located immediately behind the mold halves 36 electrical heating and 9, each gib plate 60 is provided with a swallow-tail groove I50 in which is received for lineal movement parallel to the direction of movement of the brackets 34 an upright I 52, each pair of which is tied together by two parallel spaced bars I54. Pivotally mounted at I56 on each upright I52 is a link I58, pivotally comiected at I60 to another link I62 which in turn is pivoted at I64 to a block I66, secured to a gib plate 60 by screws I68. Normally each pair of connected links I58, I62 is resting with its pivot connection I60 on top of a gib plate 60, thus preventing movement of the uprights I 52 toward the left.

as viewed in Fig. 9. As best shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the front wall I34 of each movable bracket 34 supports a plurality of flanged shells I10. the opening I12 of each being in alignment with a hole I14 in said front wall and receiving the collar I16 of an ejector pin I18 and a compression spring I which surrounds said ejector pin and urges the collar I16 thereof into engagement with a cap I 82, threadedly received by said shell I10. In the position of each ejector pin I18. shown in Fig. 13, one end thereof is flush with the mold cavity and the other end extends beyond the cap I 82 and the two horizontal rows of extending ejectors pin ends of both brackets 34 are in alignment with the horizontal bars I54 of the uprights I 52 as appears best from Fig. 3. During withdrawal of the mold halves 36 and brackets 34 into the position shown in Figs. 9 and 13a, the projecting ejector pin ends strike against the horizontal bars I54 of the uprights I52 and the brackets 34 with their mold halves then keep on moving a short distance relative to the ejector pins I18 which are thereby caused to project into the cavities of the mold halves 36 and eject cast grids therefrom. The brackets 34 withdraw until the caps I82 of the shells I10 move into engagement with the bars I54 of the uprights I52 as shown in Fig. 13a. due to the fact that the piston 89 has not nearly moved to the left-hand end of cylinder 88 as viewed in Fig. 6 at the time the caps I82 engage the bars I54. Although the cavities of the movable as Well as the stationary mold halves are identical in every detail still the cast grids almost invariably stick to the movable mold halves due to the fact that molten metal slightly enters the unavoidable clearance between the ejector pins and the movable mold halves. The ejector pins may nevertheless be accurately fitted in their respective holes in the movable mold halves, the mere indication of clearance being suflicient to leave It appears further from the foregoing that the ejection of grids from the movable mold halves 36 takes place in response to engagement of the projecting ejector pin ends with the bars I54 on the uprights I52.

The identical stationary mold halves 46, one of which is shown in detail in Figs. 14 to 16 inclusive, are attached in any suitable manner to two brackets I90 which in turn are mounted on a plate I92, secured to the frames 4.4 by a plurality of screws I94.- Located in lateral grooves of the brackets I90 and immediately behind the stationary mold halves 46 are the same type electrical heating elements I40 as applied to the movable mold halves 36. The small openings I4I leading from the cavities of the stationary molds 46 to a plurality of transverse bores I43 (see Figs. 15 and 16) permit air to escape from the cavities but no metal.

Pouring of casting material Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 9, and 12, two ladies 200 are pivotally supported on brackets 204 which are mounted on top of the stationary brackets I90. These ladles, when tipped into the dot-dash position shown in Fig. 9, pour casting material directly into the pouring basins of both molds which are formed by two aligned wedge shaped grooves of each pair of cooperating mold halves, communicating with the mold cavities thereof. The two ladles 200 are tipped in unison by a connecting rod 206 which is journaled in the two inner brackets 204, whereas short stubs 208, extending from the outer ends of the ladles, are journaled in the outer brackets 204. As best shown in Figs. 9 and 12, a. lever 2I0 is secured to one of the stubs 208 and pivotally connected to a vertically reciprocable link 2I2 which is operated by mechanism to be described later. It is obvious from the foregoing that upward motion of the link 2I2 in the direction of arrow 2 I4 in Fig. 9 causes simultaneous tipping of both ladies from the full line position into the dot-and-dash position and consequently in a pouring of the casting material therein into the pouring basins which direct the charge into the cavities of both molds.

Projecting from the furnace, to be described later in detail, are two hollow bosses 220 which form part of a melting pot to be described later. Mounted in any suitable manner on these hollow bosses 220'are two discharge valves 222 as best shown in Figs. 1, 8, and 9. Each of these valves 222 is provided with a chamber 224 and a valve seat226 against which bears the frustro-conical surface 228 of one end of a long rod 230 which extends through said valve, the opposite end of saidrod being slidably supported by a horizontal .bar 232, mounted on two pedestals 234 which turn are mounted in any suitable manner on two of the gib plates 60. The rods 230 are partially threaded and receive nuts 236 for adjustment oi the compression of springs 238 which maintain the frusto-conical surfaces 228 of said rods in engagement with the valve seats 226 of the valves 222. Suitable bearing brackets 240 are secured in any suitable manner to the valves 222 and slidably support the ends of rods 230 which are adjacent said valves." A discharge tube 242 is received by each valve 222 and isin communication with the chambers 224 thereof. Also received by the threaded portion of each rod 230 is a hand wheel 244 to which is attached a tube 246, the

free end of which is journaled on the rod 230 by a spacer 248. Mounted on top of the bracket 34 supports at 252 an element 254, one end of which are smaller brackets 250 each of which pivotally is forked and straddles a rod 230, and thefother end is engaged by an adjusting screw. 2 56,

threaded into abracket 250. Toward the endof withdrawal of the movable brackets 34 in the di} rection of arrow I86 in Fig. 9, the forked ends of the elements 254 will engage the tubes 246 and through intermediation of the hand wheels 244 slightly withdraw'the rods 230 thus permitting casting material to flow from thehollow bosses 220 of the melting pot past the valve seats 226.

into the valve chambers 224 and through the discharge tubes 242 into the ladles 200. It may be stated in advance that the movable brackets 34 immediately reverse in most retracted position (see Fig. 9) so that the elements 254 immediately recede from the tubes 246 when they reach the position in Fig. 9, whereupon the frusto-conical surfaces 228 of the rods 230 are again urged against their -valve seats 226 by means of the compression spring 238. It is, therefore, obvious that any desired quantity of casting material may be automatically discharged into the ladles :00 by adjusting the hand wheels 244 on the rods Extra travel of movable mold-halves In case it is desired to inspect or coat the molds, the normal maximum separation between cooperating mold halves would impair such task. Whereas inspection of the molds is infrequent, the same must, however been frequently coated pref erably with sodium-silicate or like substance. Such a coat not only prevents the solidifying metal from baking to the mold cavity, but also adds to an unhindered flow of the molten metal through the cavity. Therefore, the brackets 34 may be moved from the normal retract-ed position in Fig. 9 to that shown in either of Figs. 10 or 11 by means to be described presently. As earlier stated, the uprights I52 with the horizontal bars I54 prevent further withdrawal of the brackets 34 beyond the position shown in Fig. 9. Therefore, in order to retract the brackets 34 beyond that position. it will be necessary first to retract the obstructing uprights I52 with their bars I54. This is accomplished by a plurality of spring urged plungers 260, each one of which is in alignment with the pivot connection I60 of each pair of links I58, I62 and movable in aligned holes of each gib plate 60 and the top wall 98 of the casing 32. Each one of theseplungers, which is provided with a collar 262, normally urged against the topwall 96 of the casing 32 by a compression spring 264, projects into the interior mounted on a horizontal shaft 216, which is journaled in two parallel sides of the casing 32 as at 278 (see Fig. 4). The free, endof eachlever 210 is in alignmentwith a plunger 260. .That

rocked by an operator. counter-clockwise as viewed in Fig. 5. causes all'plungers 260 to. be. raised against the tendency of the. compression? springs 264 to such an extent that all pairs of connected links I58, I 62 are first moved into-and, then beyond dead center and into the.,dot-anddash position shown in Fight). .'Whileqthe plungers 260 hold all pairs of connected linksyI-"llb '60 nected by a link 212 with acrank arm 214,

. 65- end of shaft 216 which extends beyond the casing 32 is provided with a. handle 280 which, whenv I82 in the dot-and-dash position, fluid pressure is admitted to the right-hand side of cylinder 88 as viewed in Fig. 6 so that during withdrawal of the brackets 88 in the direction of arrow I88, the caps I82 of the shells I18 engage the bars I58 of the uprights I52 in the position shown in Fig. 5 and drag the latter along whereby the pairs of connected links I58, I82 are caused to collapse as shown in Figs. 10 and 11. The brackets 88 and the uprights I52 are stopped in the .extreme position shown in Fig. 10 when the piston 88 moves into engagement with the cylinder cover 88 as shown in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 6. In order to return the brackets 88 and attached mold halves to the normal operating region by fluid pressure, the entrance duct 8 at'the lefthand side of cylinder 88 (see Fig. 6) communicates with a channel III which, when fluid pressure is admitted, directs the same into the small space between cylinder cover 88 and piston 88 whereupon the piston moves toward the right as viewed in Fig. 8. The other cylinder cover 88 is provided with communicating ducts II8, I2I, and I28, the latter being in communication with a duct I25 which leads to the entrance duct II8 of the cylinder. Any conventional needle valve I2I is received by cylinder cover 88 and restricts duct II8 so that the discharge of fluid pressure from the right-hand side of cylinder 88 through ducts II8, I2I, I28, I25, II8, chamber H8 and pipe I88 is greatly delayed as compared with a discharge of the same fluid pressure directly through duct II8, chamber I I8 and pipe I88, when the piston 88 moves toward the right as viewed in Fig. 6. The needle valve performsits adapted function when the piston 88 during travel toward the right closes duct I I8 at which time themovable mold halves are nearly in engagement with their companion mold halves. Further advancement of piston 88 toward the right then takes place at a slow rate dependent upon the adjustment of the needle valve to any desired rate of discharge of fluid pressure between piston 88 and cylinder cover 88. In this manner the rapidly advancing movable mold halves are braked shortly before they engage their respective companion mold halves so that cooperating mold halves do not clash together and instead close slowly.

In order to withdraw the brackets 88 into the extreme end position shown in Fig. 10 it will also be necessary that the elements 258 be removed from cooperation with the tubes 28.8 on the valve rods 288 as can be readily understood. These elements 258, as explained earlier, are mounted on a horizontal rod 252 which is journaled in the brackets 258. Mounted on this rod 252 is a crank-arm 288*which is connected by a link 282 with another crank-arm 288, mounted on a horinontal shaft 288 which is journaled in the brackets 88 and provided with a hand wheel 288. When the operator desires to withdraw the brackets 88 into the extreme position shown in Fig. 10, he rotates the handwheel 288 counter-clockwise; until the elements 258 assume the position shown in Fig. 10 in which they clear the tubes 288. The operator may do so in any position of the brackets 88 other than the one shown in Fig. 9

or close to that position, in which the elements cannot be rotated to clear the tubes 288. Incidentally the weight of the crank-arms 288, 288 and the interconnected link 282 normally urges the same into the position shown in Fig. 6, there- -by also normally urging the elements into the position shown in that figure. While brackets 88 move from the extreme end position shown in Fig. 10 to that shown in Fig. 9, the uprights I52 are caused to follow said brackets due to the tendency of the collapsed links I58, I82 to straighten out and return to the position shown fin Fig. 9 by gravity.

Grid conveyors Referring more particularly to Figs. 20 to 22 inclusive, two shafts 888 and 382 are journaled in the parallel frames 88 and carry pulleys 888 intermediate each pair of frames 88. An endless belt 888 passes over the aligned pulleys intermediate each pair of frames 88. Pivotally mounted at 888 to the two inner frames 88 are two links 8I8, one end of each carrying a pulley 8I2 which is normally yieldingly urged into engagement with a conveyor belt 888 by a tension spring 8I8, thus sufliciently tightening the conveyor belts 888. The shaft 888 is continuously driven by means to be described later in such manner that the two conveyor belts 888 are continuously traveling in the direction of arrow 8I8 as viewed in Figs. 20 and 22. As best shown in Figs. 5 and 22, there is provided a curved track 8| 8 in alignment with each conveyor belt 888 the receiving end of these tracks 8I8 being vertically below the movable mold halves 88 in ejecting position as shown in Fig. 8, and the discharging end voi? these tracks approaching the belt conveyors 888 substantially parallel to their direction of travel during conveyance. Two simultaneously ejected grids, therefore, descend by gravity upon the curved tracks 8I8 and are discharged upon the conveyor belts 888, lying flat thereon. Adjacent the end of travel of the conveyor belts 888 in the direction of arrow 8I8,

the four frames 88 adjustably support two in-' clined guide-off plates 828, adapted to guide the conveyed grids oiT the belts and into a cradle 822 where they are stacked in the fashion shown in Fig. 22.

Melting furnace Mounted on the frames 88 are a pair of spaced parallel channels 888 which are connected by two ties 882. These channels 888 support a melting pot 888, a plurality of through-bolts 888 flrmly holding said melting pot against its supporting channels 888. A protective cover 888 of sheet metal is mounted in any suitable manner on top of the melting pot 888 and is accessible only through a door 888 which is hinged at 882 to said cover. A second protective cover 888 of sheet metal is spaced from the flrst mentioned cover 888 and also covers the melting pot itself and its supporting channels 888 as more particularly shown'in Figs. 1, 20, and 21. The space 888 between both covers 888 and 888 is packed with any suitable heat insulating material in order to prevent radiation of heat from the melted charge in pot 888 to the outside of the furnace and also to prevent the atmosphere surrounding the furnace, from cooling the melted charge in pot 888. The metal to be melted is introduced into pot 888 through door 888; A plurality of gas burners 888 are provided with pads 858 resting on the'bottom of the melting pot 888, the burners 888 being further properly located within the melting pot by a plurality of yielding retainers 852, attached to the melting pot in any suitable manner, and pipes 858 which extend from the burners and pass through cylindrical spaces 858 between the two covers 888 and 888 and through a sealing cover 858 to the outside of the furnace. Each pipe 354 is provided with a lid 360. Connected to any suitable gas source are intake pipes 362 each of which is connected to a burner 348. Suitable provisions (not shown) provide for manually connecting or disconnecting the intake pipes 362 from the gas source. A conventional thermo-couple 364 actuates any known type automatic temperature controller (not shown) which is adapted consistently to maintain a proper combustion. by controlling the quantity of fuel admitted to the burners. Elbows 366 lead the exhaust gas from the burners into the chamber 368 directly above the pot 334. An

exhaust stack 310 draws exhaust gas from the.

burners and poisonous fumes arising from the molten charge from the chamber 368 to a place where discharge into the atmosphere does not endanger the health of working men. Additional burners 3' (see Fig. 1), receiving fuel from the same source as the first mentioned burners heat the hollow bosses 220 in order to keep the molten metal therein at the proper temperature. The exhaust gases pass through the annular chambers 3'l2, surrounding the hollow bosses 220 and escape to the exhaust chamber 368 through a pipe line 314.

Control of machine which is connected by a pipe 384 with the tank 380. This pump is driven by an electric motor 388 through intermediation of a chain drive 386. The high pressure side of pump 382 is connected by a pipe line 380 with any conventional threeway valve 392 which is in communication with either side of cylinder 88 by pipe lines 384 and 386, respectively. A drain pipe 388 also connects said valve with tank 380. The .fast shaft 400 of any conventional twospeed reduction gearing 402 is connected in any suitable manner with the shaft of motor 388 and the slow shaft 404 of said reduction gearing is coupled at 406 toa shaft 408 which is journaled in bearing brackets H0 and carries a drum 4I2, provided with a cam 4 on its periphery. Cooperating with this cam H4 and the periphery of the drum M2 is a cam follower 6 which is pivotally mounted at 8 to the valve 382 and operatively engages the valve stem 420 of the valve 382. A spring (not shown) within the valve 382 urges the valve stem in such direction as to cause the follower 4I6 yieldingly to move toward the periphery of drum 2. Descent of the cam follower 6 from the cam 4I4 into engagement with the periphery of drum 4I2 results in a shifting of the valve stem 420 into such position as to permit the pas-- sage of liquid under pressure from the pump 382 and pipe line 390 through the valve and through the pipe line 384, including pipe I04, to the lefthand side of cylinder 88 in Fig. 6, thereby causing movement of the piston 88 therein toward the right and consequently advancement of the movable mold halves 36 toward their stationary companion halves 46. The liquid in the righthand side of cylinder 88 is forced by thadvancing piston 88 to flow through the pipe line 386, including pipe I06, through valve 392 and through the drain pipe 398 into the tank 380. Upon ascent of the follower 4I6 from the periphery of the drum M2 to the top of cam 4M and while riding on top of the latter, the valve stem 420 is shifted into and remains for a certain period in a position in which liquid under pressure is I permitted to flow from the pump 382 and high pressure line 380 through the valve 392, through pipe line 396, including pipe I06, and to the right-hand side of the cylinder in Fig. 6, whereas on the drum 4I2.

Referring again to Fig. 4, there is shown a shaft 430 which is journaled with one end in the casing 32 and with the other end in a bearing bracket 432. Mounted to this shaft are two levers 434 and 436, the former in alignment with the cam follower M6 and the latter on the outside of casing 32. Manual rocking of lever 436 in counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5 results in random depression of the valve stem 420 and consequently in a random withdrawal of the movable mold halves 36 from their companion halves 46 at any time during movement of said movable mold halves toward their companion halves 46.

Also mounted on shaft 408 is a bevel gear 440 which is in mesh with another bevel gear 442, mounted on a shaft 444 which is journaled in the bearing bracket 445 and another bracket 446. Mounted on one end of shaft 444 is a sprocket wheel 448 which, through a chain 450, is drivingly connected with another sprocket wheel 452, mounted on the conveyor shaft 300. Thus the grid conveyor is actuated whenever the valve 392 causes and controls reciprocation of the mold halves 36.

Also mounted on drum M2 is another cam 456 which cooperates with a cam follower 458, mounted on a shaft 460 which is journaled in suitable bearing brackets. Splined to one end of shaft 460 is a reciprocable clutch half 46I, cooperating with a companion clutch half 462 which is suitably journaled and provided with a crank arm 464, connected to the earlier .mentioned ladle tipping link 2I2. Clutch half 46I is normally yieldingly urged in engagement with tion of the two clutch halves Nil, 462 by the op erator naturally prevents such tipping of the ladles irrespective of the cooperation between the cam follower 458 and the cam 456. Such random disconnection of the clutch 48I, 462 is most important when a grid sticks to a stationary mold half whereupon no ejection of the grid takes place and upon a renewed closing of the molds more molten metal would be automatically poured on top of the non-ejected grid. The operator detecting such a sticking grid may at any time before the automatic tipping of the he stops the entire machine.

ladles step on either foot pedal and prevent the further discharge of metal into the molds until The ladies are of such size that they may hold molten metal for at least 3 grids without overflowing, so that the operator has sufiicient time to stop reciprocation of the movable mold halves which causes discharge of metal into the ladles as explained earlier. Since the operator is mostly in the rear of the machine inspecting the grids as they are delivered into the cradle 322, provisions are made whereby the operator may stop the entire machine when he misses a non-delivered grid. This provision consisted of a lever 465 pivotally mounted at 461 to one of the frames 44 and connected to a link 469 which is also connected with a switch controlling the operation of motor 388. If the operator desires to stop the machine, he merely rotates lever 465 counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 20 whereupon the motor 388 and thereby the entire machine will be stopped.

With particular references to Figs. 1 and 4, the drum 2 is provided with a third cam (not shown) which operates the cam follower 4", adapted to actuate a Powell blow-gun 413, one side of which is connected to any suitable water supply by a pipe line 414, and the other side of which is connected to another pipe line 416 which terminates at 418 directly above the pouring basins formed by the closed mold halves. The Powell blow-gun 413 normally prevents the passage of water from pipe line 414 to the pipe line 416. Cooperation between cam follower 4H and its cam on drum 2 results in opening of the Powell blow-gun 413 for a short period whereupon a certain amount of water is permitted to flow through pipe line 416 and be discharged into the pouring basins of the two molds a predetermined period after casting material has been poured into the mold cavities and before the movable mold halves are separated from their companion halves. The cooling water thus splashed into the pouring basins of the molds not only cools the latter but accelerates the solidification of the grid gates which are of greater mass as the grid itself and consequently would 'otherwise require a longer period for solidification than the grids themselves. The amount of water discharged has been so selected that the gates solidify during the same period as the grids proper.

Referring again to Fig. 4, a stub shaft 480 is shown journaled at 482 in casing 32 and is provided at one end outside of said casing with a handle 484, and at the other end with a crank arm 486 which, by a link 488, is connected with an arm 490 which is part of the two speed reduction gearing 482. Manual rocking of arm 490 about the pivot axis 492 into registry with either one of the three depressions 494 on the casing 32, results either in complete inoperativeness of the reduction gearing or in transmission of rotation from shaft 400 to shaft 404 at two different angular speeds. More particularly, when handle 484 registers with the extreme left or extreme right depressions 494 as shown in Fig. 5, shaft 494 is rotated at one of two possible speeds,

whereas registry of handle 484 with the inter-. mediate depression 494 results in a disengagement of the transmission mechanism of the reductiongearing and consequently in idle rotation of shaft into the ladles 206.

must be a supply of molten metal at the proper temperature in pot 334. The furnace is heated a considerable time prior to the operation of the machine by admitting fuel to the burners and by applying torches to the burners, the torches being introduced to burners 348 through the pipes 354, and to the burner heads 3" by removing the lids 313 thereof. Having obtained the proper charge of molten metal in the melting pot, the machine is ready for operation. The operator connects the electric motor 388 with any suitable source of electric power by manipulating the earlier mentioned control switch (not shown). The cam drum 4|2, which is provided with three earns the functions of which have been detailedly described earlier, commences to rotate in the proper direction as soon as the motor 388 runs. Assuming that the motor 388 was started when the movable mold halves were in normal retracted position shown in Fig. 9, rotation of the drum 4I2 will then cause the following operations in the order in which they shall be mentioned. First, the brackets 34 and attached movable mold halves 36 will advance toward the stationary mold halves 46 due to the admittance of fluid pressure to the left-hand side of cylinder 88 as viewed in Fig. 6. Almost immediately after the mold closes, one of the cams on drum 2 causes the ladies 200 to be tipped from the full-line position into the dot-and-dash position shown in Fig. 9, whereupon the molten metal, previously discharged into the ladles, will flow from the latter into the pouring basins of the molds. While the movable mold halves are still in engagement with their companion halves 46, another cam on drum 2 causes discharge of a certain quantity of water into the pouring basins to cool the molds, accelerate solidification of parts of the grids to such an extent that the gates solidify during approximately the same period as the grids proper. A predetermined time after the cooling water was discharged into the pouring basins, fluid pressure is admitted to the right-hand side of cylinder 88 as viewed in Fig. 6 whereupon the brackets 34 and attached movable mold halves 36 retract from the stationary mold halves 46. Shortly before the brackets 34 reach normal retracted position (see Fig. 9), the protruding ejector pin ends strike against the cross bars I54 of the uprights I52 so that the ejector pins, which are normally flush with the cavities of the movable mold halves 36 are caused to enter said cavities and eject the cast grids therefrom while the brackets 34 move relative to the ejector pins into normal retracted position. During the latter part of retraction of the brackets 34, the elements 254, movable with said brackets, withdraw the valve rods 230 from their respective valve seats 226 so that molten metal may flow from the melting pot 334 through the hollow bosses 220, through chamber 224 of valve 222 and through the dis charged tubes 242 into the ladies 200. The brackets 234 immediately'reverse their direction of movement upon arrival in normal retracted position (see Fig. 9) so that the valve rods 238 may return into engagement with their respective valve seats 226 under spring action as soon as a sufficient amount of molten metal is discharged The ejected grids fall upon the curved tracks 3l8 and are guided thereon tion'of certain elements thereof is interrupted at random by the operator. Such interruptions in the operation of certain elements are necessary partly to facilitate the periodic coating of the mold cavities or the occasional inspection of the same, and partly as safeguards against damages to the molds arising from the pouring of molten metal on top of a non-ejected grid which sticks to a stationary mold half.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

We claim:

1. In a casting machine, the combination of cooperating molds, one being movable relative to the other; means for reciprocating the movable mold; a movable stop for restricting the stroke of the movable mold away from the other mold; and collapsible links permitting the stop to be moved into and out of restricting position.

2. In a casting machine, the combination of cooperating molds, one being movable relative to the other; means for reciprocating the movable mold; a stop movable in the direction of movement of the movable mold and adapted to restrict the stroke of the latter away from the other mold; and means including collapsible links permitting the stop to be moved into and out of restricting position and for locking the stop against movement from restricting position.

3. In a casting machine, the combination of a support; cooperating molds, one mold being movable on the support relative to the other mold; means for reciprocating the movable mold; a stop movable on the support in the direction of movement of the movable mold and adapted to restrict the stroke of the latter away from the other mold; and collapsible links connecting said stop with the support, said links normally rest.- ing on the support by gravity in slightly collapsed relation to each other thereby locking the stop against movement from restricting position.

4. In a casting machine, the combination of a support; pairs of cooperating molds, one mold of each pair being movable relative to its companion mold; means for simultaneously and yieldingly reciprocating all movable molds; stops movable on the support in the direction of movement of the movable molds and adapted to restrict the strokes of the latter away from their companion molds; collapsible links for each stop connecting the latter with the support, said links normally resting on the support by gravity in slightly collapsed relation to each other thereby locking all stops against movement from restricting position; and means including a single manually operable lever for simultaneously collapsing all links away from the support sufliciently to permit removal of the stops from restricting position by the reciprocating molds.

5. In a casting machine, the combination of cooperating molds, one being movable relative to the other; normally retracted ejector pins carried by the movable mold; yielding means for reciprocating the movable mold through a preassigned stroke; and means cooperating with the movable mold for restricting the stroke of the same, said means also actuating the ejector pins and being removable from restricting cooperation with the movable mold whereby the same is moved through said preassigned stroke.

6. In a casting machine, the combination of cooperating molds, one being movable relative to the other; fluid pressure operated means perlodically reciprocating the movable mold; a stop movable in the direction of movement of the movable mold and adapted to restrict the stroke of the latter away from the other mold; means including collapsible links permitting movement of the stop into and out of restricting position and for locking the stop against movement from restricting position; means including a manually operable lever for collapsing all links sufllciently to permit removal of the stop from restricting position by the reciprocating mold; and means including a manually operable lever adjacent the first mentioned lever for causing the fluid pressure operated means to reverse the periodic closing stroke of the movable mold a. any cycle thereof.

'7. In a casting machine," the combination of co- .operating molds, one being movable relative to the other; means periodically opening and elosing the molds; manually operable means for causing the mold opening and closing means to reverse the closing stroke of the movable mold at any cycle thereof; a pivotally mounted ladle holding a charge of casting material; means periodically tipping the ladle to pour a charge into the cavity defined by the closed molds; and manually operable means for rendering the tipping means ineffective.

8. In a casting machine, the combination of cooperating molds, one being movable relative to the other; fluid pressure operated means periodically reciprocating the movable mold; a stop movable in the direction of movement of the movable mold and adapted to restrict the stroke of the movable mold away from the other mold; means including collapsible links permitting movement of the stop into and out of restricting position and for locking the stop against movement from restricting position; a pivotally mounted ladle holding a charge of casting material; means periodically tipping the ladle to pour a charge into the cavity defined by the 7 stroke of the movable mold at any cycle thereof;

and means including a foot pedal within reach of the operator when manipulating both levers for rendering the tipping means ineifective.

9. In a casting machine, the combination of pairs of cooperating molds, one mold of each pair' being movable relative to its companion mold; a

pivotally mounted ladle adjacent each stationary mold adapted to hold a charge of casting material; a single prime mover periodically and simultaneously reciprocating all movable molds; manually operable means for causing said prime mover to reverse the closing stroke of the movable molds at any cycle thereof; means including a single power operated element periodically tipping all ladles simultaneously; and manually operable means for rendering the tipping means inoperative.

10. In a casting machine, the combination of a mold for a fiat casting; means for ejecting a casting from the mold; an ,endless conveyor adapted to receive and convey an ejected casting to a receiving station remote from the mold; means guiding an ejected casting fiat upon the conveyor during its gravity descent from the mold; a cradle at the receiving station adapted to receive the conveyed castings; and a bodily adjustable plate above the cradle adapted to guide the castings of! 7 the conveyor at the turning point thereof and into the cradle such that the castings are stacked therein.

11. In a casting machine, the combination of cooperating molds, one being movable relative to the other; fluid pressure operated means for reciprocating the movable mold; means forsupplying fluid under pressure; means for controlling the admission of fluid pressure to the fluid pressure operated means; an endless conveyor receiving and conveying an ejected casting away from the molds; and a single prime mover for.operat ing the fluid pressure supplying means and the conveyor.

12. In a casting machine, the combination of cooperating molds, one being movable relative to the other; fluid pressure operated means for reciprocating the movable mold; means for supplying fluid under pressure; a controller for the admission of fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure operated means; rotary means for periodically operating said controller; an endless conveyor receiving and conveying an ejected casting away from the molds; and a single prime mover for operating the fluid pressure supplying means and the con'-'eyor, and for rotating said rotary means.

13. In a casting machine, the combination of cooperating molds, one being movable relative to the other; fluid pressure operated means for reciprocating the movable mold; means for supplying fluid under pressure; a controller for the admission of fluid under pressure to the fluid pressure operated means; rotary means for periodi cally operating the controller; a pivotally mounted ladle holding a charge of casting material to be poured into the cavity of the closed molds; rotary means for periodically tipping the ladle; an endless conveyor receiving and conveying an ejected casting away from the molds; and a single prime mover for operating the fluid pressure supplying means and the conveyor and for rotating all rotary means.

14. In a casting machine, the combination of cooperating molds; a pivotally mounted ladle holding a charge of casting material to be poured into the cavity of the closed molds; means for opening and closing the molds; means for hp ping the ladle; a device for operating the mold opening and closing means and the ladle tipping means periodically in a predetermined sequence; and manually operable means for disabling the ladle tipping means while permitting the periodic operation of the mold opening and closing means.

15. In a casting machine, the combination of cooperating molds; a pivotally mounted ladle holding a charge of casting material to be poured into the cavity of the closed molds; means for opening and closing the molds; means for tipping the ladle; and a device for operating the mold opening and closing means and the ladle tipping means periodically in a predetermined sequence, said device including a normally connected and manually disconnectible clutch for disabling the ladle tipping means while permitting the periodic operation of the mold opening and closing means.

16. In a casting machine, the combination of cooperating molds, one being movable relative to the other; a ladle for pouring a charge of casting material into the closed molds; a container holding a supply of casting material; a normally closed valve to discharge casting material from the container'into the ladle; and means operated by the moving mold for opening the valve. 17. In a casting machine, the combination of cooperating molds, one being movable relative to the other; a ladle for pouring a charge of casting material into the closed molds; a container holding a supply of casting material; a normally closed valve to discharge casting material from the container into the ladle; means operated by the moving mold for opening the valve; and means for disabling the valve opening means.

18. In a casting machine, the combination of cooperating molds, one being movable relative to the other; a ladle for pouring a charge of casting material into the closed molds; a container holding a supply of casting material; a valve to discharge casting material from the container into the ladle, said valve including a 'valve head which is normally urged against the valve seat to close the valve and provided with a shoulder; and means carried by the movable mold to engage the shoulder and move the valve head away from the valve seat during movement of the movable mold away from the other mold, said means being shiftable out of cooperative alignment with the shoulder to permit opening of the molds without opening the valve.

19. In a casting machine, the combination of cooperating molds, one being movable relative to the other; a ladle for pouring a charge of casting material into the closed molds; a container holding a supply of casting material; a valve to discharge casting material from the container into the ladle, said valve including a valve head which is normally urged against the valve seat to close the valve and provided with a shoulder; a lever pivoted on the movable mold; and an abutment on the movable mold normally engaged by one end of the lever, the other end of the lever engaging the shoulder and moving the valve head away from the valve seat during movement of the movable mold away from the other mold, said lever moving out of engagement with the abutment and out of cooperative alignment with the shoulder upon rotation of the lever in a certain direction, thereby permitting opening of the molds without opening the valve.

20. In a casting machine, the combination of cooperating molds, one being movable relative to the other; a ladle for pouring a charge of casting material into the closed molds; a container holding a supply of casting material; a valve for discharging casting material from the container into the ladle, said valve including a valve head which is normally urged against the valve seat to close the valve; a sleeve threaded on the valve head and providing a shoulder; a lever pivoted to the movable mold; and a set screw on the movable mold and normally engaged by one endof the lever, the other end of the lever engaging the shoulder of the sleeve and moving the valve head away from the valve seat during movement of the movable mold away from the other mold, said lever moving out of cooperative alignment with the set screw and with the shoulder upon rotation of the lever in a certain direction, thereby permitting opening of the molds without opening the valve.

LORA E. POOLE.

EVERETT W. BEEKMAN. 

